A military court martial on Wednesday began the trial of 59 soldiers in Abuja for criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny and for disobeying the order of their commanding officer in Maiduguri.

The soldiers are being charged with offences which include criminal conspiracy to commit mutiny on August 4, 2014 in Maiduguri.

The accused soldiers were also charged with mutiny for refusing to obey the orders of their commanding officer, Lt. Col. Timothy Opurum, of the 111 Special Forces Battalion, to take part in an operation.

The judge advocate, Lt. Col Ukpe Ukpe, who read the charges to them, said the operation in question was meant‎ to recapture Yelwa, Bellabulini, and Damboa in Borno State.

The Commander of the 111 Special Forces Battalion is currently testifying before the military panel.